Commercial package



Sept. 10, 1929. 1 R w GRISWQLD 1,727,878

COMMERCIAL PACKAGE Filed Dec. 16. 1927 INVENTOR.

50 M/GNM/Old $61 m f 9 A TTORNEYS Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

ROGER W. GRISWOLD, OF ASHTABULA, OHIO.

comnnnemr. raexaen.

Application filed December 16, 1927. Serial No. 240,493.

The present invention relates, as indicated, to refrigeration methods and ap: paratus. The invention has been applied with marked success tothe shipment and storage of mushrooms, but it is to be understood that it is applicable as well to the shipment and storage of any perishable goods. The primary object of the invention is to maintain such perishable goods at a desired temperature during shipment and storage at a relatively low cost. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carton, portions of the walls thereof being broken 5 away to show the boxes packed therein; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a box filled with refrigerating material. As is well known, mushrooms spoil very quickly unless they are kept at a proper temperature. Since the cost of shipment in refrigerator cars is prohibitive with respect to this commodity and since, further, the temperature cannot be kept sufficiently uniform throughout such cars, shipment of mushrooms over long distances has, in the past, been impossible.

According to the present invention, mushrooms specifically or other perishable goods, are packed, according to ordinary practice, in relatively small boxes 1, adapted to contain about one pound of mushrooms. These boxes are, in turn, packed into cartons f corrugated board or similar material, the cartons being adapted to hold approximately forty-eight (5 .8) boxes. Deviating from the usual practice, I substitute for one or more of the boxes 1 containing the mushrooms, one or more boxes 3 containing refrigerating material 4.

Preferably this material is damp, but not saturated, earth which has been chilled to a temperature of approximately 20 to below zero F. In this condition the earth is a solid block which absorbs heat very readily from its surroundings.

WVhen the goods have been packed in this manner, they may be shipped over long distances or may be stored during long periods, the blocks of refrigerating material keeping the temperature within the carton at about the desired point. As the block or blocks of refrigerating material absorb heat, the temperature thereof rises until the ice in the earth begins to melt, at which time, of course, heat will be absorbed with-' out any corresponding rise in the temperature of the block. Since the earth is not saturated with water, there will be no possibility of dripping or leakage from thebox 3 which would damage the goods in the boxes 1 surrounding such box 3. If it appears desirable, the boxes 3 may be wrapped in ordinary wrapping paper which will somewhat further insulate the block 4 against heat absorption.

The advantages of the present invention will be quite obvious, but it" may be mentioned that it provides for effectual and eflicient refrigeration of perishable goods over relatively long periods at a practically negligible cost.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, ,change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim asmy invention:

1. A commercial package comprising a carton,. a plurality of containers containing perishable material packed in said carton, and a similar container, likewise packed in said carton and containing frozen earth.

2. A commercial package comprising a carton, a plurality of containers containing perishable material packed in said carton, and a similar container, likewise packed in said carton and containing earth holding an appreciable amount of moisture, said I moist earth having been frozen.

3. A commercial package comprising a carton, a plurality of contamers containing perishable material packed in said carton,

and a similar container, likewise packed in said carton and containing earth holding an appreciable amount of moisture, but not suiiicient to saturate such earth, said moist earth having been frozen.

4. A commercial package comprising a carton, a plurality of paper boxes packed in said carton and containing perishable material, and a similar box likewise packed in said carton and containing frozen earth.

5. A commercial package comprising a carton, a plurality of boxes permeable to Water and to carbon-dioxide and containing perishable material sensible to carbondioxide, said boxes being packed in said carton, and a similar box containing chilled material inert with respect to said boxes and to said perishable material.

Signed by me this 14th day of December,

ROGER WV. GRISVVOLD. 

